Tuesday, August 2, 2011

It's time to join all the other tablescapers across blogland and set the table. Until I met Susan at "Between Naps on the Porch", I never knew how many of us loved playing with our dishes!

This week I've set a table that I've been building in my mind ever since I found my centerpiece swan a few weeks ago. I couple of years ago I set a romantic swan table for two...but this is more casual....sort of "tavern" style.

Won't you join me?

Is there anything more elegant than swans drifting along on a pond? Perhaps that's why you find them depicted in ballet. Grace....elegance....beauty. (Of course you may not feel that way if you've seen "Black Swan").

I found this table topper on ebay a couple of years ago. I fell in love the pairs of swans. They mate for life and are often considered a symbol of eternal love.

I found both my set of etched wine glasses and etched water/iced tea glasses at our local Goodwill. In fact, I've found quite a few sets of nice crystal glasses there.

A closer view of the wine stems etched with grapes. About a month after I found these I saw the same exact glasses pictured in Victoria Magazine.

When I found this at the antique shop the tag said it was a duck. When I went to the counter to pay for this, we had quite a discussion about whether it was a duck or a swan. All the women said swan. The only guy there said he thought it was a duck. What do you see?

Let's break down the layers. I have a white battenburg napkin layered over black and white checked ones. The bow napkin rings were found at a local antique store several years ago. I use them often.

My ruffled salad plates were from Tuesday Morning about 5 years ago.

I found my black pleated dinner plates at Kmart a couple of years back ....I've mostly used them at Halloween.

I was finally able to find these chargers in stock at Pier One last week. I think these are some of the prettiest ones I've seen and I knew that if they ever had some....they would come home with me. I'm sure I'll be using these a lot! I've been drooling over these ever since the first time I saw them on a Tablescape Thursday posting. Over the past few months I've seen them on more and more tables. Isn't it funny how so many of us are attracted to the same things....remember the "Gollum" dishes and the Target birdies?

Overview of the table. I found the checked tablecloth on ebay....another tablecloth I believe you'll be seeing a lot.

Simple swan centerpiece.

The way the two layers of napkins fluffed up sort of reminded me of birds wings.

I enjoyed setting this table, it sort of reminded me of.....

....watching swans glide ever so beautifully across the water.

I hope you'll visit the tables prepared for you at "Between Naps on the Porch" this week. There's always something to inspire us to set a beautiful table.

I am soo happy you finally got your chargers. These are the most versatile ones ever!!! Love your swan theme. Every gal knows that swans are white! Love your black and white, large and small. This is a fabulous table, all started with the topper.. so pretty. xo marlis

It's a swan, I agree! And it does make a wonderful centerpiece and inspiration. I love the way you coupled the black and white with that blue, and like you I really want a set of those chargers. I've been trying not to covet them for a while. Yours are perfect, especially against those black plates.

The swan seems to be swimming on the water blue cloth...perfection! Your chargers are going to be one of your favorites for years to come. I'm going to go take a look at them at Pier One! Thank you for sharing your darling design. Cherry Kay

How pretty, Martha! Love the black and white but that swan topper is just so elegant! Your swan centerpiece is so pretty! You did good, as always.Yay! You'll be coming to my party!Be a sweetie,Shelia ;)

Hi, Martha!!! I am a huge fan of black & white checks, and I love the way you've prepared this table with the swans. Of course it's a swan...the guy in the store was just being a typical guy! :-) Thanks for stopping by my blog last night. I've been taking my time browsing through all of this week's posts. They are all so good, and yours is no exception! Have a great weekend!

I love the black and white tablecloth and then the checked napkins peeking out from under the white. I am also in love with those chargers. I'm not sure if I can hold out much longer...I see a trip to Pier1 in my future.Your tablescape is really lovely. And I'd have to agree with the ladies, swan.

About Me

I am a wife of 35 years, mother of two grown children. and grandmother to 4 adorable grandgirls. I love crafting, tablescaping, decorating -- but am probably not terribly talented at any of these. That doesn't stop me however. I'm so honored that anyone chooses to visit me -- I hope you find this blogspot to be a welcoming spot to visit -- come on in and stay awhile -- let's have a nice chat.